Ronald Lee Raper

Ronald Lee Raper, 78, passed away on May 3, 2025 in Sugar Land, Texas.

Throughout his life, Ronald Lee Raper endeavored to motivate young people to achieve to the pinnacle of their abilities whether in academics or sports. For this reason, he never stopped setting individual goals for himself to demonstrate that it is never too late to learn and that one can always improve.

Ron was born to Wilma June and Quilmer Russell Raper (both deceased) in Guthrie, Oklahoma, on September 22, 1946, after his father returned from serving with honor in the European Theater of War during World War II. He has an older brother, Russell Ray Raper, and a twin brother, Donald Dee Rapier. 

After attending Capitol Hill High School where he served as student body president of his class and made state in swimming, Ron attended Oklahoma State University where he majored in Secondary Education and minored in Biology, Chemistry, and History. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.  Upon graduation, he went to work for the state department setting up schools for the U.S. Embassies in Cambodia and Thailand. Since he had won state in high school with his amazing swimming abilities, Ron was put in charge of the swimming teams for his assigned embassies. This was just the beginning of a lifetime of dedication to education, mentorship, and excellence.

Eventually, Ron decided that it was time to return home to continue his teaching and coaching career.  He taught and coached across Texas in football, basketball, track, baseball, and swimming. First, Ron taught for Dallas ISD and then for Odessa Permian. Ron taught biology, chemistry, and swimming at HISD’s Austin High School and retired from public school education when he worked at Alief ISD’s Elsik High School.  

Ron was not through coaching, though.  St. John’s School called upon him to serve as head swimming coach for the boys’ and girls’ swim teams which he did until his illness forced him to stop. He truly adored working with young people to help them achieve to the best of their abilities.

He not only coached various sports, but became known for his pioneering use of technology in setting up swim meets.  Ron was more than willing to assist anyone who needed help with the use of technology in their classrooms or swim meets. The idea of using technology for meets was very new in the 1980’s.

Ron served as the treasurer of TISCA for many years.  He organized the membership with the first TISCA website and created the All State list for Swimming and Diving.  He and his students won many awards though the years.  Just recently, he was presented the very first Dr. Steve Montgomery Outstanding Service Award for the State of Texas by TISCA. Ron and his students received the Southwest Preparty Conference South Zone Champions award several times.  

Ron loved travelling and being with his family.  Ron often took his son, Charles, to the zoo, fishing, Gymboree, soccer, football, Boy Scouts, and other youth activities. 

He and Janice Jan Johnson were married in Lamesa, Texas, on July 25, 1986.  On September 29, 1994, they were blessed with a son, Charles Allen Raper, who graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.   Ron was proud that Charles had inherited his knack for math and science. 

Ron is survived by his wife, Janice Jan (Johnson) Raper; his son, Charles Allen Raper; his older brother, Russell Ray Raper & wife Jocelyn Raper; his twin brother, Donald Dee Rapier; and Donald's children, Matthew Rapier (and Matthew's son, Donald Doil Rapier & wife Mindy Chistina Rapier), Karen Rapier Tucker (and her husband, Ken Tucker; and their children, Ryan Matthew Maxwell and Megan Tucker Doskocil), and Laura Rapier Schill (and her husband, Eric Bradley Schill; and their children, Braden Schill, Braxton Schill, Brinley Schill)

If called upon to serve in some capacity, Ron was always ready to do so.  He loved working with others and always loved a good joke.

We are certain that he is sharing his great sense of humor with our Lord right now.

Funeral services are planned for Saturday, May 24, 2025, in the Chapel of Beresford Funeral Service.  Visitation will start at 1 PM, and the funeral at 2 PM.  Burial will follow at Brookshire Memorial Oaks Cemetery (1699 Sturm Ln, Brookshire, TX 77423).

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